Best of the City 2018 Winners

Here's the list of winners that you voted as the best of the best in The 330.

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Best Local 5K

• 1st: Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s Selfless Elf 5K Run-Walk
• 2nd: Akron Autism 5K Run & Walk
• 3rd: Fishcreek Raccoon Run 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run
• Honorable Mention: Andrea Rose Teodosio Memorial 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk

Best Museum

• 1st: Akron Art Museum
• 2nd: Akron Children’s Museum
• 3rd: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
• Honorable Mentions: Hale Farm & Village, Maps Air Museum, Pro Football Hall of Fame

Best Art Gallery

• 1st: Akron Art Museum
• 2nd: Don Drumm Studios & Gallery
• 3rd: Zeber-Martell Gallery and Studio
• Honorable Mentions: Summit Artspace, Harris Stanton Gallery, Akrona Galleries

Best Artist

• 1st: Don Drumm
• 2nd: Claudia Zeber-Martell and Michael Martell
• 3rd: Ron White
• Honorable Mentions: Matt Miller, Mac Love, Dinara Mirtalipova, Madison Cummins

Best Jazz Musician

• 1st: Theron Brown
• 2nd: Dan Wilson
• 3rd (tie): Justin Tibbs, Tom Lehman
• Honorable Mentions: Stan Miller, Kofi Boakye, John Markovic, Sausalito

Best Local Band

• 1st: Roxxymoron
• 2nd: Buck Naked Band
• 3rd: The Speedbumps
• Honorable Mentions: Acid Cats, Wesley Bright & The Honeytones

Best Live Theater Co.

• 1st: Weathervane Playhouse
• 2nd: Akron Civic Theatre
• 3rd: Ohio Shakespeare Festival
• Honorable Mention: Porthouse Theatre

Best Free Event

• 1st: Rock the Lock at Lock 3
• 2nd: PorchRokr Music and Art Festival
• 3rd: Akron Art Museum
• Honorable Mentions: Canton First Friday, Akron Arts Expo at Hardesty Park

Best Live Music Venue

• 1st: Blossom Music Center
• 2nd: Lock 3
• 3rd: Musica
• Honorable Mentions: Jilly’s Music Room, Blu Jazz

Best Public Golf Course

• 1st: J.E. Good Park Golf Course
• 2nd: Fox Den Golf Course
• 3rd: Firestone Country Club
• Honorable Mentions: Mud Run Golf Course & Driving Range, Brookledge Golf Club

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Best Bike Shop

• 1st: Eddy’s Bike Shop
• 2nd: Blimp City Bike & Hike
• 3rd: Century Cycles
• Honorable Mentions: Marty’s Bike Shop, Falls Wheel & Wrench

Best Car Dealership

• 1st: Ron Marhofer Auto Family
• 2nd: Serra Auto Group
• 3rd: Klaben
• Honorable Mentions: Don Sitts, Montrose Auto Group

Best Clothing Store

• 1st: Rubber City Clothing
• 2nd: Noto
• 3rd: Urban Lace
• Honorable Mentions: The District Boutique, The Grey Colt

Best Dance Studio

• 1st: Martell School of Dance
• 2nd: Nan Klinger Excellence In Dance
• 3rd (tie): Marquette School of Dance, All About Dance
• Honorable Mention: Christine Meneer School of Dance

Best Dentist

• 1st: Barsan & Stefan Family Dental
• 2nd: Robert A. Zavodny
• 3rd (tie): Mark S. Grucella, Joanna R. Kleckner, Robert Lowery, Gerald Sisko, Keith A. Hoover & April A. Yanda
• Honorable Mentions: Demboski Family Dental, Darrow Family Dental Centre, John M. Fiocca, Dale M. Leonhardt

Best Eye Care

• 1st: Davis Eye Center
• 2nd: Novus Clinic Total Eye Care
• 3rd: Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons
• Honorable Mentions: Adolph Optical, Handel Vision

Best New Store

• 1st: Northside Marketplace
• 2nd (tie): Akron Honey Co., West Point Market
• 3rd (tie): Highland Throwbacks, Gilmore’s, Crimson Cup, All About the Piece, The District Boutique, Gypsy Grace & the Vintage Goat, The Social Dept.

Best Yoga Studio

• 1st: Yoga Bliss
• 2nd: Yoga Lounge
• 3rd: Yoga Squared
• Honorable Mentions: Release Yoga, Blue Hen Yoga

Best Landscaping Co.

• 1st: Suncrest Gardens
• 2nd: Vizmeg Landscape
• 3rd: Graf’s Garden Shop, Landscape & Farm Market
• Honorable Mentions: RB Stout, Edenscape, Turf Trimmers, KGK Gardening & Design Corp.

Best Tattoo Shop

• 1st: Arkham Tattoo
• 2nd (tie): Three Anchors, Defiance Tattoos
• 3rd (tie): Empire Ink, La’Rox Body Piercing & Tattoos
• Honorable Mentions: Assassin Tattoo Studio, Red Rabbit Studio, Good Life Body Piercing and Fine Jewelry, Odd Fellows Tattoo

Best Vintage Shop

• 1st: The Bomb Shelter
• 2nd: Village Discount Outlet
• 3rd: Stagecoach Antiques
• Honorable Mentions: Gypsy Grace & the Vintage Goat, Hidden Pearl, Abbey Ann’s, Life is Sweet

Best Pet Day Care

• 1st: Camp Bow Wow
• 2nd (tie): Pay it Forward For Pets, One of a Kind Pets, Hattie’s Doggy Day Care & Boarding
• 3rd (tie): Double Dog Day Care, Turkeyfoot Family Pet Center, Valley Animal Hospital, Wag-On-Inn

Best Pet Groomer

• 1st: Celebrity Pets Salon & Boutique
• 2nd: Kay-9 Pet Salon
• 3rd: Salon de’ Pooch
• Honorable Mentions: Wizard of Paws, PetSnips, One of a Kind Pets, Turkeyfoot Family Pet Center

Best Florist

• 1st (tie): Dietz Falls Florist, Every Blooming Thing
• 2nd: The Greenhouse
• 3rd: Silver Lake Florist
• Honorable Mentions: Pink Petals Florist, Pam’s Posies

Best Homebuilder

• 1st: Schumacher Homes
• 2nd: Testa Builders
• 3rd (tie): Wayne Homes, Prestige Homes
• Honorable Mention: Steven Moore Custom Homes

Best Wealth Manager

• 1st: Edward Jones: Jerome Rieke
• 2nd: Robert W. Baird & Co.: Paula R. Chesser
• 3rd: Aigler Financial Group

Best WeddingReception Venue

• 1st: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
• 2nd: Gervasi Vineyard
• 3rd: Greystone Hall
• Honorable Mentions: Guy’s Party Center, Todaro’s Party Center, Hale Farm & Village

Best Independent Bookstore

• 1st: The Learned Owl Book Shop
• 2nd: The Bookseller
• 3rd: Snowball Bookshop
• Honorable Mentions: Buckeye Bookshop, Logos Bookstore

Best Jeweler

• 1st: Kimberly Jewelry
• 2nd: Taylor Made Jewelry
• 3rd: Jewelry Art
• Honorable Mentions: Sam’s Emporium, Abshire & Haylan Jewelers

Best Salon/Spa

• 1st: Gavin Scott Salon & Spa
• 2nd: MC Hair Consultants
• 3rd: Spa at Yellow Creek
• Honorable Mentions: Blondie & Co. Salon, Apotheclaire

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Best Cupcake Shop

• 1st: Pandora’s Cupcakes
• 2nd: West Side Bakery
• 3rd (tie): Cupcake Binge, Tiffany’s Bakery
• Honorable Mentions: Sweet Mary’s Bakery, Cupcake Castle

Best Bakery

• 1st: West Side Bakery
• 2nd: Sweet Mary’s Bakery
• 3rd: Tiffany’s Bakery
• Honorable Mentions: Crest Bakery, Pallotta’s Pastries

Best Cocktail Bar

• 1st: Northside Speakeasy
• 2nd: Cashmere Cricket
• 3rd: Bricco
• Honorable Mentions: Chop & Swizzle, The Merchant Tavern, Jilly’s Music Room

Best Chicken Wings

• 1st: Winking Lizard
• 2nd: Wing Warehouse
• 3rd: On Tap Grille & Bar
• Honorable Mentions: Jerzees Sports Grille, The Boulevard Tavern

Best Barbecue

• 1st: Big Eu’es BBQ
• 2nd: Oak and Embers Tavern
• 3rd: Jimmy’s Backyard BBQ
• Honorable Mentions: Pammie’s, Angry BBQ, Beau’s Grille, The Merchant Tavern

Best Breakfast

• 1st: Blue Door Cafe & Bakery
• 2nd: The Eye Opener
• 3rd (tie): Akron Family Restaurant, Fred’s Diner
• Honorable Mention: Wally Waffle

Best Burger Place

• 1st: Swensons Drive-In
• 2nd: Louie’s Bar & Grille
• 3rd: The Rail
• Honorable Mentions: Flip Side, Whitey’s Booze ‘N Burgers

Best Drive-In

• 1st: Swensons Drive-In
• 2nd: Skyway Drive-In
• 3rd: Dilly’s Drive-In
• Honorable Mention: Retro Dog

Best Chinese Takeout

• 1st: House of Hunan
• 2nd: Chin’s Place
• 3rd: Chen’s Garden
• Honorable Mentions: No. 1 Chinese Kitchen, A-Wok Restaurant

Best Sushi

• 1st: Sakura
• 2nd: House of Hunan
• 3rd: Cilantro
• Honorable Mentions: Kasai Japanese Restaurant, Sushi Katsu

Best Asian Restaurant

• 1st: House of Hunan
• 2nd: Pad Thai
• 3rd: Cilantro
• Honorable Mentions: Basil Asian Bistro, Rice Paper Thai Cuisine

Best Brewery

• 1st: Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.
• 2nd: HiHo Brewing Co.
• 3rd: Hoppin’ Frog Brewery
• Honorable Mentions:R. Shea Brewing, MadCap Brew Co.

Best Craft Beer Selection

• 1st: Craft Beer Bar
• 2nd: HiHo Brewing Co.
• 3rd (tie): 101 Bottles of Beer on the Wall, Winking Lizard

Best Deli

• 1st: Diamond Deli
• 2nd: Primo’s Deli
• 3rd: DeVitis Fine Italian Foods
• Honorable Mentions: Hanini Subs, Kirbie’s Meats and Catering

Best Food Truck

• 1st: Swensons Drive-In
• 2nd: The Square Scullery
• 3rd: Lobster Louies
• Honorable Mentions: Zydeco Bistro, The Funky Truckeria, The Beachcomber Truck, Quite Frank Street Food

Best Diner

• 1st: Fred’s Diner
• 2nd: Akron Family Restaurant
• 3rd (tie): Honeymoon Grille, The Lamp Post
• Honorable Mentions: Gasoline Alley, Yours Truly, Bob’s Hamburg

Best Ice Cream

• 1st: Stricklands Frozen Custard
• 2nd: Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt
• 3rd: Pav’s Creamery
• Honorable Mentions: Chill Artisan Ice Cream, Trecaso’s Mary Coyle

Best Independent Coffeehouse

• 1st: Nervous Dog Coffee Bar
• 2nd: Angel Falls Coffee Co.
• 3rd: Artisan Coffee
• Honorable Mentions: Corner Cup Coffeehouse, Akron Coffee Roasters

Best Pizza

• 1st: Luigi’s Restaurant
• 2nd: Gionino’s Pizzeria
• 3rd: Pavona’s Pizza Joint
• Honorable Mentions: Guiseppe’s Pizza,3 Palms Pizzeria, Farinacci Pizza

Best Italian Restaurant

• 1st: Luigi’s Restaurant
• 2nd: Dontino’s Fine Italian Cuisine
• 3rd: Papa Joe’s Iacomini’s
• Honorable Mentions: D’Agnese’s at White Pond, Vaccaro’s Trattoria

Best Kids’ Menu

• 1st: Rockne’s
• 2nd (tie): Winking Lizard, D’Agnese’s at White Pond, Yours Truly
• 3rd (tie): Luigi’s Restaurant, Cafe O’Play, Mustard Seed Market & Cafe,The Galaxy Restaurant

Most Entertaining Menu

• 1st: Mike’s Place
• 2nd: Melt Bar & Grilled
• 3rd: Mr. Zub’s Deli & Bar
• Honorable Mentions: Winking Lizard, Crave, The Lockview

Best Patio Dining

• 1st (tie): Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar, Burntwood Tavern
• 2nd: Beau’s Grille
• 3rd: Gervasi Vineyard
• Honorable Mentions: The Merchant Tavern, Mustard Seed Market & Cafe, Sarah’s Vineyard

Best Restaurant in the Last 12 Months

• 1st (tie): The Merchant Tavern, Luigi’s Restaurant, Crave
• 2nd: Bricco
• 3rd (tie): Blue Door Cafe & Bakery, Ken Stewart’s Lodge
• Honorable Mentions: Russo’s, Burntwood Tavern, Beau’s Grille, Diamond Grille, The Lockview

Best Steakhouse

• 1st: Diamond Grille
• 2nd: Ken Stewart’s Lodge
• 3rd: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
• Honorable Mentions: Lanning’s Restaurant, Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

Best Taco

• 1st: Bomba Tacos & Rum
• 2nd: Crave Cantina
• 3rd: Taco Tontos
• Honorable Mentions: Taqueria La Loma, El Rancho

Best Vegetarian Menu

• 1st: Aladdin’s Eatery
• 2nd: Mustard Seed Market & Cafe
• 3rd: Ms. Julie’s Kitchen
• Honorable Mentions: Cilantro, Gervasi Vineyard, Bombay Grill

Best Winery

• 1st: Sarah’s Vineyard
• 2nd (tie): Gervasi Vineyard, The Winery at Wolf Creek
• 3rd: Maize Valley Winery
• Honorable Mentions: NautiVine Winery, Red Horse Winery

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Best Charity Event

• 1st: Akron Children’s Hospital Holiday Tree Festival
• 2nd: Akron Autism 5K Run & Walk
• 3rd: Red & White on Thursday Night
• Honorable Mentions: Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series, Akron Rotary Chili Open Golf Classic, Halloween Charity Ball

Best Corn Maze

• 1st: Szalay’s Farm & Market
• 2nd: Maize Valley Winery
• 3rd (tie): Dussel Farm, Ramseyer Farms
• Honorable Mention: Kingsway Pumpkin Farm

Best Natural Wonder

• 1st: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• 2nd: Brandywine Falls
• 3rd: Gorge Metro Park
• Honorable Mentions: Kendall Cliffs, Blue Hen Falls

Best Place To Take Visitors

• 1st: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
• 2nd: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• 3rd: Swensons Drive-In
• Honorable Mentions: Luigi’s Restaurant, Gervasi Winery

Best Reason to Wait in Line

• 1st: Luigi’s Restaurant
• 2nd: Stricklands Frozen Custard
• 3rd: Swensons Drive-In
• Honorable Mentions: Hartville Kitchen, Diamond Deli

Best Symbol of The Rubber City

• 1st: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Blimp
• 2nd: Tire
• 3rd: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
• Honorable Mentions: Akron RubberDucks, LeBron James

Best Thing to Happen to Akron

• 1st: Northside Marketplace
• 2nd: Downtown Akron Improvements
• 3rd: EBay Partnership with Akron

Best Way to Improve The 330

• 1st: Road Repair
• 2nd: More Bike Lanes
• 3rd: Limit Litter
• Honorable Mentions: More Jobs, Increase Safety